Leonard Chia

Experience

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  A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences

  Aug 2007 - Sept 2012

  Research Engineer

  - Researched the use of mesoporous materials for drug delivery and speciality chemical uses leading to 11 peer-reviewed publications, 2 patents, and the 2012 IChemE Singapore 'Pharmaceuticals and Speciality Chemicals Award'- Involved in the design, conduct, and analysis of experiments for drug delivery applications- Presented research to A*STAR senior management, industry and at various local and overseas conferences- Safety coordinator of lab that won "Lab Safety Award" for three years- Supervised several attachment students and guided their research- Lab tour representative for department and lab tour guide leader for institute- Organising Commitee for NanoFormulation 2011 conference Show less

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  University of Cambridge

  Oct 2012 - Jul 2017

  PhD candidate

  - Thesis: Investigating Controlled Release Pulmonary Drug Delivery SystemsThe therapeutic effect of pulmonary drug delivery systems is limited by its rapid clearance from the lungs by robust clearance mechanisms. By controlling the release of drugs, the therapeutic effect of pulmonary drug delivery systems, as well as patient convenience and compliance could be improved by reducing the number of times drugs need to be administered. In this study, two controlled pulmonary drug delivery systems for drugs of different solubilities were investigated and they were characterised for their viability as effective controlled release pulmonary drug delivery systems, particularly in areas of aerosol performance and dissolution profile.- Graduate Syndicate Representative for the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology- Reviewer for Powder Technology and Chinese Chemical Letters journals- Demonstrator for Fluids Laboratory Show less

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  A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences

  Aug 2017 - May 2021

  - Led the coordination and organisation of the institute's efforts for the five yearly Cluster Advisory Board evaluation exercise- Oversaw the planning and implementation of the institute's annual work plan- Stewarded the conception of major programmes in the institute. These programmes aim to bring in significant funding to the institute to support the development of innovation target areas in line with the strategic positioning of the institute, resulting in funding of >$30M to date.- Coordinated institute-wide R&D efforts in carbon capture, utilisation and sequestration (CCUS), such as CO2 mineralisation, catalytic conversion of CO2 to liquid fuels, CCU Translational Test-bed, at the national-level with key public agencies, in close coordination with A*STAR HQ. Show less - Advised and coordinated of all grant-funded research in the research institute, resulting in the award of $15M in grant funding.- Part of core team involved in the transformation of the research institute- Planned, organised, and facilitated multiple workshops in areas such as ideation and collaboration- Conducted of staff engagement sessions for all staff in research institute as part of change and stakeholder management.- Planned, organised, and facilitated the conduct of engagement sessions with key research performers for the planning of Manufacturing, Transport and Communications (MTC) National Strategic Domains (NSDs) in areas of Energy & Chemicals and Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Show less

  • Assistant Manager (Planning & Programmes), Strategy Management

    Apr 2020 - May 2021

  • Strategy and Programmes Coordinator, Strategy and Portfolio Management

    Apr 2019 - Mar 2020

  • Scientist (Formulation Science), Crystallisation and Formulation Science

    Aug 2017 - Mar 2019
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  A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Pharma Innovation Programme Singapore (PIPS)

  Sept 2017 - Mar 2019

  Programme Coordinator, Pharma Innovation Programme Singapore (PIPS)

  Involved in the setup and running of the public-private partnership, the Pharma Innovation Programme Singapore (PIPS). PIPS is a S$34M initiative that aims to bring together public sector research capabilities and the domain expertise of the pharma industry to improve and transform manufacturing operations and technologies for small molecule pharmaceutical manufacturing in Singapore. The vision for this public-private partnership is for Singapore to lead the way in the global transformation of pharmaceutical manufacturing to create unique value for patients, the pharmaceutical industry, and for Singapore. - Part of core team that put together operating framework of programme- Helped to secure key funding for the programme- Led engagements with key pharmaceutical companies and technology solution providers- Involved in the Leadership and Technical Steering teams of consortium- Set up grant call and review of proposals under consortium- Developed and organised technical workshops with local and overseas participants from pharma companies and Singapore’s public research performers- Set up functioning Programme Office from scratch- Organised multiple overseas engagements with executive level industry representatives with A*STAR senior management Show less

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  Public Sector Science & Technology Policy and Plans Office (S&TPPO)

  Jun 2021 - now

  • Deputy Director, Climate Change and Sustainability Science & Technology Office

    Apr 2024 - now

  • Head, Climate Change and Sustainability Science & Technology Office

    Jun 2021 - Mar 2024
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  Strategy Group, Prime Minister's Office

  Jun 2021 - now

  - Promote use of science and technology to support Singapore's climate change strategy- Work with research organisations and public agencies to push ambition and align research agendas to national objectives and priorities- Explore cross-cutting science and technology areas that deliver system of systems synergies and optimisation

  • Deputy Director, Climate Change & Sustainability Science & Tech, National Climate Change Secretariat

    Apr 2024 - now

  • Head, Climate Change & Sustainability Science & Tech, National Climate Change Secretariat

    Jun 2021 - Mar 2024